All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure, immaculate, chosen, infallible and virtuous household, especially the one remaining with Allah on earth, and may God curse all their enemies

You are very welcome dear brothers, dear sisters, honorable people of Qom and esteemed scholars of the outstanding Qom Seminary. Indeed your gathering, your meeting and your day has been a source of hope, enthusiasm, dynamism and guidance throughout all these years. The 19th of Dey is not only an opportunity to honor, respect and praise the people of Qom, but I also deem it necessary to extol the people and youth of Qom who launched this great movement and who created that historic turning point – which will never be forgotten. There is no doubt about this.

Qom is a place that proved to be the fountainhead of a bubbling spring, the source of the raging sea of the Revolution. That was not a minor task. Qom is the city of the Revolution. It is the center and mother of the Revolution. Of course – let me say this in parentheses – there are certain motives for changing the revolutionary environment of Qom and for undermining the revolutionary and religious spirit of Qom. There are certain efforts to that end.

We should not ignore the enemy’s tricks in all areas and dimensions. Well, he plays tricks in the economic area, but we should not ignore his tricks in the area of culture either. They are busy working and they have ulterior motives. They send agents and this is a point which should receive attention. The great personalities and youth of Qom should not allow treacherous hands to prevent Qom from being the center of the Revolution and to undermine these concepts and values. In any case, Qom is the fountainhead and the Qom Seminary is a source of support for the movement which changed and roused the world. This movement continues to work and we are still in the beginning of the path.

So, the 19th of Dey is a suitable day for praising and honoring the people of Qom, but this is not the only purpose of this occasion. The 19th of Dey contains certain lessons for our present-day conditions. I would like to discuss a brief section of what can be studied and examined regarding this movement.

Youth should pay attention. In particular, our youth should pay attention to these truths. This is because you are in charge of tasks and the future belongs to you. On the 10th of Dey of the year 1356, the US president came to Tehran and delivered a speech about Mohammad Reza, praising him lavishly and falsely. In that speech, he said that Iran is an island of stability. What does that mean? It means that the US felt assured about Iran – dependent Iran and its servile officials. It means that the US felt comfortable because of that stability.

This happened on the 10th of Dey. However, less than 10 days later, the events of Qom occurred. The people of Qom sparked an uprising on the 19th of Dey. They moved forward and entered the arena with their own lives and bodies in order to stand up against that oppressive, dependent and corrupt regime. The calculation apparatus of the US and the west is this. Westerners and Americans themselves are proud of their calculation and analytical power. They are proud of their perceptiveness. In our country too, some westernized individuals boast about the calculation power of the US. They highlight American comments and opinions: for example, they highlight what some American scientist and such and such an American research center says. They reflect on the Americans’ portrayal of the future and their worldview. However, the calculation power of the US is this.

They said that Iran is an island of stability, but less than ten days later, it became clear what “island of stability” meant. Qom sparked an uprising and later on Tabriz did the same. After that, a great movement began and what followed was the tremendous storm of the Islamic Revolution and the destruction of the dependent taghuti and Pahlavi regime [audience chant “Death to America”]. Please be patient, of course you are right: ‘Death to the America’. This calculation power- please listen- and capability has been like this until today.

Just recently, in meeting with a bunch of thugs and terrorists in a neighboring country, one of the US officials said that he hopes and wishes that he will celebrate Christmas of 2019 in Tehran. Christmas of 2019 occurred a few days ago. This is their calculation power. They are the same people. Their calculations dictate that they entertain such hopes, like the one that Saddam Hussein entertained – he hoped to occupy Iran in the course of one week – and like the one that their other mercenaries entertained. They too hoped that they would make it from Kermanshah to Tehran in the space of three days. These are their calculations! This is the enemy’s calculation power. Some US politicians play and act crazy. Of course, I do not believe that however they are truly, first-class idiots!

The uprising by the people of Qom displayed the deployment of two calculation and ideological systems and two analytical models. One was the false ideological system of western liberal democracy – which has its feet stuck in mud – and another was the ideological system of Islamic monotheism. It displayed the confrontation between two prediction and calculation systems. As for the calculation system of the US which looked at Iran like that, the US Senate imposed sanctions on Iran in the first months after the victory of the Revolution hoping that Iran and the Islamic Revolution would be gone in the course of five, six months. Their calculations are like that!

And regarding the calculation system of the Islamic government, our magnanimous Imam said that he could hear the sound of Marxisms’ bones being crushed and shattered and one, two years later, the whole world heard that sound. The issue is this. The west is faced with such a phenomenon: the phenomenon of the Islamic Revolution. On the one side, there is a front equipped with all sorts of worldly and flashy instruments – including military, political, monetary and other such instruments – and on the other side, there is a newly-emerged ideological and civilizational power which is motivated, enthusiastic and perceptive and which knows what it wants to and should do and where it wants to go. These two sides confront each other.

The enmity of the arrogant system of the west and the US towards this newly-emerged and progressive phenomenon is natural. They should not be surprised at this. In my opinion, some people play dumb. Of course, perhaps, this is not the case. They say, “Why did you make such and such a comment which has resulted in the enmity of the US towards you?” They think that the US enmity originates from such and such a statement made by Imam or another official who has spoken ill of the US. This is not the case. The truth of the matter is something else. The issue is beyond this.

It is 40 years now that this young power has been moving forward, growing on a daily basis and becoming stronger and more powerful day by day. They are witnessing this in front of their eyes. With the emergence of this power – this spiritual, newly-emerged, diligent and motivated power – and with the emergence of this astonishing and spiritual phenomenon, formerly unknown to the world, the shallow power of arrogance cracked. Over the past 40 years, this crack has been getting deeper and deeper. The richest government in the world is the most indebted and troubled government in the world today. Are these trivial points? These are the points that our youth should focus on. The issue is not about the verbal statements of such and such an official, rather the issue is about identity, about movements, about ideals and about futures.

Of course, they were dealt a blow primarily because Iran – which was an easy prey for them – was snatched from their grasp. Iran is not such and such a remote country in Africa, Latin America or the like. Iran is in an important geographic location in the world and it is a very important center. There is no geographic area in West Asia which is as important as Iran. There are few countries which enjoy as much material wealth and as many capabilities – of various sorts – as Iran. They themselves are acknowledging this.

Recently, a western organization said something to insult this humble person. However, it acknowledged that Iran is the fifth richest country in the world. This statement is correct and Iran is like this. Our capacities are important. They lost this delicious and sweet morsel. This is the first reason why they are angry and of course, this anger continues to rage.

However, the main issue is the issue of the confrontation between two movements, and between the truth and falsehood: “The Truth has arrived, and falsehood neither creates anything new, nor restores anything” [The Holy Quran, 34: 49]. Our dear qari [reciter of the Holy Quran] recited this ayah in the meeting. When the truth shows up, falsehood naturally trembles.

They are arrogant and they are colonialists. They breathe and feed on the blood of nations. Now, a power has emerged which is opposed to this oppressive phenomenon and which confronts them. It does not give in to them and it does its best to convey its message to other nations. It has been successful in doing so until today. We have been successful over the past 40 years.

Notice which countries in the world let out the cry of “Death to America”. This was unprecedented. The great movement of the Iranian nation intimidates them. It intimidates materialistic, oppressive and bullying powers. It intimidates international companies which suck nation’s blood. They now see that they have reached the end. Yes, spiritual rifts in civilizations do not show themselves very soon. Well, the west launched a movement – an industrial one – and it achieved science and wealth. It occupied the world and it created an uproar about it, but the main rift – the spiritual rift inside it – is working like termites. However, it does not show its effect soon. Sometimes, it shows itself after several centuries. It is showing itself now. It is showing what it can do now.

Take a look at Europe. The US, Europe and the countries following them are faced with this situation in different ways. Under these circumstances and in such a world, Islam, Islamic democracy, Islamic movement and Islamic civilization are growing on a daily basis by utilizing the current resources and the existing tools in the world. This is naturally intimidating and daunting to them. That is why they show enmity.

There are two points here. One is the reason behind this enmity. We should not show negligence and adopt a careless approach on this matter. The reason why they show enmity is the nature and the truth of this great movement. This is the reason behind their enmity. The reason behind their enmity is the courage, self-sacrifice and loyalty of the Iranian nation. These are the reasons behind their enmity. They show enmity because the Islamic Republic is committed to the main principles of the Revolution and this commitment has been completely preserved until today. These are the reasons why they show enmity. The reason is that the Islamic Republic is proving to be a civilization which is growing and blossoming. If by Allah’s favor and grace, it manages to produce the desired results, then oppression, arrogance and the colonialism of western governments will have to close shop. These are the reasons behind their enmity.

Peoples are not opposed to Iran. Western peoples are not opposed to Iran either. They might propagandize. They might spread Iranophobia and Islamophobia. They might propagandize Islamophobia in certain places and Iranophobia and Shia-phobia in other places. They might do these things, but whenever the truth becomes clear to peoples, not only will they not show enmity towards the Islamic Republic, but they will also embrace and support it.

It is oppressive powers and the pharaohs of the world which show enmity. This enmity is like the one which Pharaoh showed towards Musa. He knew that Musa was right. He knew that. The Holy Quran specifies that the Pharaoh knew Musa was right, but that he would show enmity, anyway. Allah the Exalted says to Musa, “Fear not, for I am with you. I hear and see everything” [The Holy Quran, 20: 46]. God said, “I am with you. Go and begin your movement and then continue it.” Pharaoh held the throne of power and monarchy. He was intimidating and frightening, but God said to them that they show go and do their task: “I am with you. I hear and see everything.” The same message is being addressed to the people of Iran today. So, this is the reason behind their enmity.

The second point is: what is the result of this enmity? The result is that whoever has God’s support will win. This is because power belongs to the Holy Nature of God. Be with God and take his path and then definite victory will be certain. There is no doubt about this. Sometimes, we showed negligence and we did not consequently earn a victory. This is because of our negligence and our poor performance. If we act and move correctly – our officials in a certain way and the people in a certain way – and if the movement is a correct movement, then Allah the Exalted will undoubtedly help: “God will certainly aid those who aid his cause” [The Holy Quran, 22: 40]. There is no doubt about this.

Well, 40 years has passed. 40 years is not a long time. In the life of civilizations, the 40th-year anniversary is the beginning of intellectual growth and movement. The 40th year does not represent old age, rather it is a period of blossoming and this blossoming will continue to prevail, God willing. We are witness to the grounds for this blossoming. Today, religious faith is thankfully good in our country. Firm determination is good among our people. Their presence and preparedness is at a good level. Religious and determined youth are not few in number. They are many. I am familiar with them. Of course, I do not know all of them, but there are thousands of youths in different corners of the country who are busy carrying out deep and intellectual tasks. They are young scientists with firm determination who are building and producing. They are busy innovating and creating throughout the country. They will build the future.

They have good and strong faith. They trust and rely on God to a great extent and they are very hopeful about the future. Such youth exist among the people and they are not few in number. I said that there are thousands of them, but this is only the extent of my knowledge. There are tens of thousands of them. They are many. Our youth are prepared and they have good insight. The basis of all these is the favor and grace of God. If Allah the Exalted did not want this to move forward, he would not have prepared the ground.

Once – unfortunately, I do not remember the details – our magnanimous Imam wanted an explanation regarding a task that had not been done properly. He said that Allah the Exalted wants this to be done: “When God’s Will decrees something, the instruments for that will be prepared” [Speaking in Arabic]. When the requirements for something are prepared, it becomes evident that Allah the Exalted wants it to be done. The requirements are the establishment of the Revolution and the formation of the Islamic Republic and the Islamic government. These are the requirements for creating an Islamic civilization befitting this era and this century. These are the requirements that Allah the Exalted has prepared. We should reach that point and by Allah’s favor, we will.

I have two issues to discuss: one is addressed to officials and executives and another is addressed to our dear people.

I would like to say to government officials that first of all, you should appreciate the value of your positions. That you are busy carrying out such and such responsibilities is a great blessing bestowed by God. If we have a responsibility and if we work for such goals, such a people and such a country, this is a great blessing which is bestowed by God. They should appreciate the value of this blessing and they should be thankful. Secondly, they should observe the requirements for this great blessing. They should take care not to be oriented towards wrong behavior, towards aristocracy, towards extravagance and towards everything which used to be common among taghuti officials. This is the duty of our government officials. The path is the path of Islam and of the Islamic government. Of course we cannot act like the Commander of the Faithful. However, we can recognize it as a path towards which we can move. We should move in the shade of that path.

The next duty is courage and reason. This is another duty that officials have. They should be courageous. They should not back off in the face of other’s shouts and cries. They should not miss out on what is correct and necessary in the face of the nonsensical statements of the US, European and other such governments. You know what nonsensical statements they make. They sometimes talk like clowns. In order to badmouth us in the world, a US official says that Iran should learn human rights from Saudi Arabia! What can be said to such a person? Can we call him anything other than a “clown” [audience laughs]? Can we give them any other title?

The threats, promises, statements and signatures of these people are not credible. We should not pay attention to them. We should tread the correct path in a courageous and reasonable manner. We cannot act on the basis of feelings. The management of a country is not possible with feelings. Feelings are of course necessary, but they should be backed up by reason. We should choose the path in a reasonable way and then, we should move forward with motivation and with feelings.

Another responsibility that our officials should pay attention to is appreciating the value of internal and domestic capacities and gaining an understanding of them. When we do not know about them, many of these capacities will remain idle, as has been the case, unfortunately. We do not know of many of our capacities – including the capacity of having these good youth. There are some knots in sections of these great executive and governmental organizations which can be undone by youth. They can undo these knots with the fingers of their brilliant youthful thoughts and of their actions. They should appreciate the value of youth. They should refer to them and benefit from their viewpoints. We achieved success in most areas where we benefited from their viewpoints. They should appreciate the value of youth and of their ambitions. Youth are ambitious and there is nothing wrong with this. It is these ambitions which push a nation forward and which liberates it from stagnation. They should not harbor any fear in their hearts about westerners either.

They should pay special attention to the people’s livelihood problems. Today, this is the most important task and this is the top priority. This is because the enemy is focused on this: on the livelihood problems of underprivileged classes. The problems which befall underprivileged classes in terms of livelihood are among the most fundamental tasks for the officials of the country and executive officials – primarily, executive officials. This is the most important task. Domestic resources may not be enough, but one can see that there are some individuals and some orientations inside the country which are swallowing these resources in an oppressive manner.

Illegal activities and the monopolies that exist regarding financial issues, business and the like are obstacles in the way of the progress of the country. We constantly stress the importance of domestic production, but such and such a dealer – involved in importing – creates obstacles in different ways because it is against his interests and as a result, one sees that the task will not produce results. Attending to the people’s livelihood problems does not only mean distributing money. Looking at these harmful and dangerous sections and stopping them is an important issue as well. I have pointed this out in a detailed manner to the officials of the country in our meetings with them and I will point it out again as well. These are the issues that I discuss with officials.

As for the people, first of all, our dear people should help officials. Everyone should help. If there is talk of strengthening domestic production and domestic products, an important part of this is related to the people. Domestic producers, consumers of domestic products, and salespeople who sell domestic products can all be influential. The quality of production and of distribution are important points. Well, we named this year, “The Year of Producing Iranian Products” and we stressed Iranian products. It is the end of the year now. How much work has been done in this regard? Of course, some tasks have been carried out, but how much progress have we made? We should move forward in these areas. The people can help in this regard. They can cooperate in good deeds.

One of the tasks that the people can perfectly do at the service of the country is presence at the scenes of the Revolution. Another task that that the people can do is confronting and opposing the enemy’s effort to spread rumors. Today, one of the methods that the enemy employs in an active way is spreading rumors with the purpose of agitating the people and making them oppose one another, level accusations against this and that and pitting them against each other. Of course, this will not happen, by Allah’s favor, but this is their goal anyway. The people should be vigilant and aware.

They invite the people to confront the Revolution and the government with complete shamelessness while these are people on whom the government is reliant. If the people had not been a source of support for the government, this event of such significance would not have occurred and moved forward. They are so shameless that they make – they encourage and provoke – them confront the government. The people should stand up against this propaganda and they should move against it. Today, youth are active in cyberspace. Cyberspace can become an instrument for punching the enemies in the mouth.

As for sanctions, well, sanctions exert certain pressures on nations and countries. The Americans themselves say gleefully that the sanctions that they have launched against the Iranian nation are “unprecedented in history.” Well, they are unprecedented in history and by Allah’s favor, the failure of the Americans on this matter will be unprecedented in history as well. The people, the administration and officials – all of them – can do something to make these sanctions end to our advantage a hundred percent.

During the war, we were under sanctions as well. They would not even sell us handguns. Once I said, that they would not even sell us barbed wire, but the same deprivations caused domestic talents to work, as a result of which we have reached a point today where we are the first in the region and ahead of everyone else, by Allah’s favor. This was achieved thanks to sanctions. Otherwise, if we had bought everything that we needed from the first day, if they had given them to us easily by taking our money, we would not have thought of building them on our own and reaching this point. This is the case on all matters.

Our youth say to me – and they prove it: it is not just a mere claim – that there is no piece and no component that the country needs and that we cannot build. We can build everything on our own and they are right. We tested this in certain cases and we witnessed that they are right. We have such human capacity. We should do something to turn sanctions into an instrument for blossoming and for reaching the peaks of innovation and work in the country. We should do something to have no need of others’ products and make others need ours. This is something that can be done.

By Allah’s favor, we will move past matters related to sanctions and economic problems. Of course, they will create certain problems. In the present time, there are certain problems, but they will only exist in the beginning. If the administration and the people resist, show vigilance and work in a hard and determined way, we will surely emerge victorious, as we emerged victorious in the imposed war. Saddam was destroyed and he went to hell while the Islamic Republic continued to blossom. Our enemies too – the ones who are acting against us in the US, Europe and the West – will go to hell as well, and the Islamic Republic will prevail, God willing.

God’s mercy be upon the immaculate soul of our magnanimous Imam as he was the one who opened this path to us. We should not forget Imams’ words of advice and his testament. God’s mercy be upon his pure soul and upon the pure souls of our dear martyrs who laid down their lives on this path. God’s mercy be upon those who have engaged in jihad until today. And God’s mercy be upon you dear people of Qom. Send my salaam to the other brothers and sisters of Qom.